I still think the problem is they weren't sure in March what role the less vulnerable actually played in the transmission and what level of the population were likely to be infected as the disease ran it's course. Despite the low infection mortality rate (though I'm sure with most evidence it is significantly higher than seasonal flu and this will be confirmed in due course) the fear was that enough people would still be infected with the fact it was a new disease and natural immunity likely to be low.

Enough would be infected to compromise the NHS and lead to a higher death tally than seen as the population exposure would be so high, of course this has hence been shown to not be the case. There's very little doubt for me that the scientists advising the govt were fully aware who the most likely risk group were but they weren't sure how the disease was actually spread around at the time.

Schools going back now seem like a no brainer, the risks appear to be practically non existent especially with such reduced transmission in the community!

I knew in February that I had to do my mums shopping.

Someone helpfully posted the full article on the forum yesterday.
A long but interesting read.